Ghanaian officials urge local research investment and scientist retention

Ghanaian officials are calling for increased domestic investment and improved retention of scientific talent to secure the nation’s technological and research future.

Prof. Abigail Opoku Mensah, Administrator of the Ghana National Research Fund, warned that an over-reliance on foreign grants creates vulnerabilities, as shifts in donor priorities can jeopardize scientific progress. She noted that while African Union members have committed to investing at least 1% of their GDP into research and development, Ghana remains below this target.

In a separate effort to bolster specialized sectors, the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, emphasized the need to retain highly skilled scientists to support nuclear science and power generation ambitions. During visits to the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Authority, she highlighted the difficulty of replacing experts who require roughly 15 years of training to reach full productivity. Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings urged institutions to address staff attrition and ensure that artificial intelligence used in nuclear activities remains under human control.